Refuse compactor

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to apparatus for use in compacting refuse and includes at least one roller secured to a chassis having a coupling for releasably securing the chassis to a boom of a front-end loader. The invention also extends to a cleat for a roller which is formed from two halves offset from each other along a circumference of the roller.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to apparatus for use in compacting refuse andextends to a cleat for a compacting roller.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

It is an important aspect of waste disposal that refuse in tips beproperly compacted. An effective machine exists for this purpose whichis essentially a heavy vehicle having four wheels each in the form of asteel roller with a plurality of cleats thereon. These are also known as“Caron wheels”. The cleats not only serve to provide traction but alsoto the shear the refuse into smaller pieces. The major drawback of suchmachines is their cost which makes them difficult to afford. It isparticularly not cost effective for smaller operators to make use ofsuch machines, where the volume of waste to be disposed of is relativelysmall

Rollers which are towed behind vehicles are thus frequently used.Front-end loaders, sometimes referred to as wheel loaders, are oftenused to tow the rollers as these vehicles are widely used on tips tomove refuse. However, such rollers are not very effective simply becausethey do not have sufficient weight. They are also tend to be cumbersomeas they are difficult to manoeuvre and hence cannot be used in manysituations.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a refuse compactor whichwill at least partially alleviate some of the abovementioned problems.It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved cleatfor a compacting roller. It is a still further object of this inventionto provide a method for compacting refuse which will at least partiallyalleviate some of the abovementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention there is provided a refuse compactorcomprising at least one roller secured to a chassis having a couplingfor releasably securing the chassis to a boom of a front-end loader.

Further features on the invention provide for the compactor to include apair of independently rotatable rollers; for the rollers to be securedto a central axle; for each roller to have a plurality of cleatsthereon; for the cleats to be formed in rows about the circumference ofeach roller; for each cleat to be formed from two halves offset fromeach other along a circumference of the roller; for the edges of eachhalf of each cleat to taper to a flat end; for each half of each cleatto extend from a circumferential flange on the roller; and for theflanges to be spaced apart.

Yet further features of the invention provide for the chassis to be atleast partly rotatable with respect to the coupling; and for thecoupling to be rotatably secured to a shaft extending across the chassisintermediate the rollers.

Still further features of the invention provide for a stabilisermechanism to restrict rotation of the chassis with respect to thecoupling; for the stabiliser mechanism to provide a downward bias on thechassis on either side of the shaft; for the stabiliser mechanism toprovide stops to limit the extent of rotation of the chassis withrespect to the coupling; and for the stabiliser mechanism to include atleast one lock to secure the chassis and coupling against relativerotation.

Further features of the invention provide for at least one scraper toextend from the chassis between each row of cleats on each roller;preferably for a pair of scrapers to extend from opposite sides of thechassis between each row of cleats; for the scrapers to be made of aspring steel; and for there to be means to restrict the height to whichthe chassis can be lifted by a boom.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the invention will be described, example only, withreference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a part sectional side elevation of a refuse compactor;

FIG. 2 is a part sectional plan view of the refuse compactor in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the stabiliser mechanism on the refusecompactor in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is an elevation of the refuse compactor in FIG. 1 secured to afront-end loader.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A refuse compactor (1) is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and includes arectangular chassis (2) with an axle (4) secured centrally in the lengththereof. A pair of rollers (6) are independently rotatably secured tothe axle (4). A shaft (8) extends across the width of the chassis (2)intermediate the rollers (6) and provides a support through which theaxle (4) is secured.

The longer sides (10, 11) of the chassis (2) are formed from largediameter steel tubing and joined together at their ends by channelsections (12, 13). One end (15) of the shaft (8) extends through theside (10) of the chassis (2) and terminates in a flange (16). A collar(17) of similar external and internal diameter to the flange (16) butaxially stepped along its length is secured to the flange (16). A disc(20) is rotatably secured between the collar (17) and flange (16) by abearing assembly (not shown). A tubular stem (21) extends through thecollar (17) and is secured to the disc (20). The free end of the stem(21) is secured to a coupling (25) which is thus rotatable with respectto the chassis (2).

Each roller (6) has four equally spaced, circumferential rows of cleats(35) on its outer surface (36). As illustrated more clearly in theinset, each cleat (37) is formed from two halves (38) each of whichextends from a circumferential flange (39) on the roller (6). The halves(38) each have the same shape, being elongate plates with the edges (40)tapered inwardly from the flange (39) to a flat end (41), but are offsetfrom each other along the circumference of the roller (6).

Three elongate, spring steel scrapers (43) are secured on each side (10,11) of the chassis (2) adjacent each roller (6) to extend between therows of cleats (35).

A support leg (45) is secured to the lower side of the channel section(12) adjacent the side (10) and is movable between a stowed condition(as shown) in which it extends along the side of the channel section(12), and an operative condition in which it extends normally to thechannel section (12) and supports the coupling (25) above the ground.

As illustrated more clearly in FIG. 4, the coupling (25) is configuredto be removably secured to the boom (50) of a front-end loader (51).These booms (50) are usually constructed to provide convenient fittingor removal of buckets, fork equipment material handling arms, timbergrapples, snow blades and the like. In this embodiment, the coupling(25) includes a plate-like base (26) secured centrally on one side tothe stem (21) with a pair of side plates (27) extending normally fromthe opposite side at each end thereof. The upper end of each side plate(27) forms a hook (28) along its free edge while the lower end projectsoutwardly and has an aperture (29) therethrough for receiving a pin (notshown). The hook (28) and aperture (29) co-operate with complementaryformations on the boom (50) in known fashion.

In use, the refuse compactor (1) is easily be fitted to the boom (50) ofa front-end loader (1) enabling it to be easily manoeuvred. It alsoprovides for efficient compaction of refuse when a number of initialruns are made over the refuse with the boom in a “free float” condition.In this condition the compactor (1) is free to follow the contours ofthe refuse with no pressure being inserted by the front-end loader (51).The rotatability of the chassis (2) with respect to the coupling (25)further enhances the ability of the compactor (1) to follow contours.During the initial runs the refuse is subjected to shearing andsettling. Hereafter the boom (50) can be operated to exert downwardforce on the compactor (1) to the extent that the compactive effort canbe increased to the point where it equals or exceeds that of mostself-propelled refuse compactors currently available.

The shape of the cleats (37) has been found to be particularly effectiveas the offset configuration of the two halves (38) of each cleat (37)provides a large periphery to each cleat (37) and more edges along whichshearing can occur. Also, offsetting the two halves (38) provides eachcleat (37) with a long, narrow tread providing higher pressure for alonger period of time through the cleat (37). The cleats (37) have beenfound to be more effective than conventional designs which tend to belimited by the necessity for the cleat to provide traction to a wheel.

The scrapers (43) have also been found to provide superior performanceover conventional scrapers which tend to be rigid. The nature of thescrapers (23) of the current invention allows them to flex rather thanbreak where particularly hard material is encountered between theflanges (39).

As the flanges (39) of each row of cleats (35) are spaced apart dirt andother matter tends to collect between them. This proves favourable asthe dirt enhances the structural integrity of the flanges (39) whilealso providing good resistance against wear.

A further advantage of the compactor (1) is that it may be lifted whenbeing transported over roads or other areas not requiring compaction.This virtually eliminates the damage caused to roads by conventionalequipment. Lifting the compactor (1) does however have the disadvantagethat the compactor (1) tends to rotate with respect to the coupling (25)where one of the rollers (6) has more refuse impacted thereon than theother. This can cause instability during transport, especially whentravelling on slopes. Referring also to FIG. 3, a pair of locking pins(60) are provided on either side of the base (26). During use of thecompactor (1) the pins (60) are held retracted against a bias in ahousing. When released from the retracted position, the pins (60) engagein apertures in the side (10) of the chassis (2) and prevent rotation ofthe chassis (2) with respect to the coupling (25).

It is, however, not always convenient to lock the chassis (2) andcoupling (25) together using the pins (60), for example where thecompactor (1) is frequently lifted and moved short distances. Astabiliser mechanism (65) is thus provided between the coupling (25) andchassis (2) and includes a pair of arms (66) pivotally secured at oneend (67) to the base (26) above the stem (21) (as shown in FIGS. 2 and3). A low friction pad (68) is secured to the lower most side of eacharm (66) adjacent the free end (69) thereof. Each pad (68) rides on apart circular stop (70) extending from the side (10) of the chassis (2)on opposite sides of the shaft (8). A coil spring (72) is securedbetween each arm (66) and the base (26) to provide a bias on each arm(66) towards its respective stop (70). Furthermore, each stop (70)extends a sufficient distance from the side (10) to engage the base (26)when it is rotated sufficiently with respect to the chassis (2). Eachstop (70) is provided with a flat surface (73) configured to abutagainst a rubber pad (75) on each side of the base (26) with the base(26) rotated into contact with the stop (70). The stops (70) thus limitthe degree rotation of the coupling (25) with respect to the chassis(2).

In use, the arms (66) act on the chassis (2) to provide a bias oppositeto the direction of rotation about the stem (21). It will be appreciatedthat rotation of the chassis (2) in the direction of one of the arms(66) will cause the other arm (66) to be raised and to extend the spring(72) to which it is secured whilst the other spring (72). The spring(72) being expanded will exert a greater force on the arm (66) to whichit is secured them the other spring (72) and hence bias the chassis (2)in the direction opposite to its rotation. A stabilising effect againstrotation of the chassis (2) with respect to the coupling (25) is thusproduced with the stops (70) limiting the degree of overall rotation.

The stabiliser mechanism (65) has been found to be highly effective withthe springs (72) providing up to about 400 kilograms of torsional loadeach. It is envisaged, however, that dampers may be added to thesprings.

To improve the stability of the front-end loader and compactor duringtransport, the hydraulic system that actuates the front-end loaderbucket “roll back” is used to roll back the compactor. This greatlyreduces the compactor mass overhang, that is the distance between thecentre of the compactor mass and the front-end loader front axle.

From the drawings it will be noted that all the structural and wearparts of the compactor are of abnormal proportion when compared toconventional towed compactors. This abnormal design is required towithstand the extremely high shock loads and forces that are experiencedwhen the compactor is operated on refuse sites with maximum front-endloader mass transfer to the compactor as it is possible that the entiremass on the front axle of the front-end loader can be transferred to thecompactor.

A highly effective yet relatively cheaply manufactured refuse compactoris thus provided. It is envisaged that the compactor will satisfy a needin countries varying from the First to the Third World with demand fromFirst World countries in fact being far greater than that from ThirdWorld countries. It will be appreciated, however, that many otherembodiments of a refuse compactor exist which fall within the scope ofthe invention particularly as regards the configuration thereof. Forexample, means can be provided to restrict the height to which thecompactor can be lifted above the ground by a front-end loader. Thecoupling of the compactor can clearly be configured to provide acomplementary fit with any suitable front-end loader. Also, any numberof rollers could be used with any suitable cleat configuration.

1. A refuse compactor comprising at least one roller secured to achassis characterised in that the chassis has a coupling for releasablysecuring the chassis to a boom of a front-end loader.
 2. A compactor asclaimed in claim 1 in which a pair of independently rotatable rollersare secured to the chassis.
 3. A compactor as claimed in claim 2 inwhich the rollers are secured to a central axle.
 4. A compactor asclaimed in claim 1 in which the or each roller has a plurality of cleatsthereon.
 5. A compactor as claimed in claim 4 in which the cleats areformed in rows about the circumference of the or each roller.
 6. Acompactor as claimed in claim 4 in which each cleat is formed from twohalves offset from each other along a circumference of the roller.
 7. Acompactor as claimed in claim 6 in which the edges of half of each cleattaper to a flat end.
 8. A compactor as claimed in claim 6 in which halfof each cleat extends from a circumferential flange on the roller.
 9. Acompactor as claimed in claim 8 in which the flanges are spaced apart.10. A compactor as claimed in claim 1 in which the chassis is at leastpartly rotatable with respect to the coupling.
 11. A compactor asclaimed in claim 10 in which the coupling is rotatably secured to ashaft extending across the chassis intermediate the rollers.
 12. Acompactor as claimed in claim 11 in which a stabiliser mechanismrestricts rotation of the chassis with respect to the coupling.
 13. Acompactor as claimed in claim 12 in which the stabiliser mechanismprovides a downward bias on the chassis on either side of the shaft. 14.A compactor as claimed in claim 12 in which the stabiliser mechanismprovides stops to limit the extent of rotation of the chassis withrespect to the coupling.
 15. A compactor as claimed in claim 12 in whichthe stabiliser mechanism includes at least one lock to secure thechassis and coupling against relative motion.
 16. A compactor as claimedin claim 5 in which at least one scraper extends from the chassisbetween each row of cleats on the or each roller.
 17. A compactor asclaimed in claim 16 in which a pair of scrapers extends from oppositesides of the chassis between each row of cleats.
 18. A compactor asclaimed in claim 17 in which the scrapers are made of a spring steel.19. A compactor as claimed in claim 1 in which there is a means torestrict the height to which the chassis can be lifted by a boom.
 20. Acleat for a roller characterised in that the cleat is formed from twohalves offset from each other along a circumference of the roller.
 21. Acleat as claimed in claim 20 in which the edges of each half of eachcleat taper to a flat end.
 22. A cleat as claimed in claim 20 in whicheach half of each cleat extends from a circumferential flange on theroller. 23.-24. (canceled)